title: Reversible inactivation and desiccation tolerance of silicified viruses.
abstract: Long-distance host-independent virus dispersal is poorly understood, especially for viruses found in isolated ecosystems. To demonstrate a possible dispersal mechanism, we show that bacteriophage T4, archaeal virus Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus Kamchatka, and vaccinia virus are reversibly inactivated by mineralization in silica under conditions similar to volcanic hot springs. In contrast, bacteriophage PRD1 is not silicified. Moreover, silicification provides viruses with remarkable desiccation resistance, which could allow extensive aerial dispersal.
authors.affiliation: Center for Life in Extreme Environments, Biology Department, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Laidler
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shugart
authors.forename: Sherry L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Cady
authors.forename: Keith S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Bahjat
authors.forename: Kenneth M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Stedman
mesh_terms: D023641:Archaeal Viruses / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D017122:Bacteriophage T4 / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003890:Desiccation; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D038301:Virus Inactivation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D012822:Silicon Dioxide